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Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

Anticipatory Response

Evidence-informed definition Updated September 27, 2026 How to cite this entry

An anticipatory response is a physiological, emotional, or behavioral reaction that occurs in preparation for an expected event, before the event itself takes place. In nutritional psychology, anticipatory responses include salivation and changes in digestive activity triggered by the sight, smell, or thought of food, preparing the body for eating and digestion.

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Written by Ephi Morphew-Lu
Reviewed by CNP Encyclopedia Editorial Board
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CNP (2026). Anticipatory Response. In CNP Encyclopedia Editorial Board (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology. The Center for Nutritional Psychology.

https://www.nutritional-psychology.org.
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